There are several cutting-edge clothing stores featuring local designers. Our favourite spot for women’s unique and funky fashions is The Cat’s Meow.

Check out Melbourne’s best local “zines” collection at Sticky.

The Underpass also features the work of local visual artists in glass cases, so there is always something beautiful and thought-provoking to look at as you stroll through.

Block Place-

Café Segovia,

Suga is a sweet-tooth’s paradise, filled with delicious handmade lollies. Watch the sweets being made from scratch while you decide which ones you want to take home with you!

Block Arcade-

The Hopetoun Tea Rooms, established in the 1800s, is the ultimate spot for high tea. Their scones and cakes are nothing short of decadent, and much of the original furnishings remain.

Shopping in the Arcade is a treat: our favourite spots include ‘Douglas and Hope’, which stocks women’s fashion, homewares and jewellery.

The Causeway-

Hardware Lane-

Lygon Street

The Nova Cinema –

The Nova is one of Melbourne’s premiere Art House cinemas. Featuring both general-release and independent films, The Nova is renowned for its excellent selection from across the board. On Mondays The Nova sells half-price tickets, so why not make a day of it and see a double bill?

Brunetti’s –

Brunetti’s is a bustling café filled with Italian delights. From pizza and foccacias to gelato and cannolli, Brunetti’s provides an unmissable eating experience.Tiamos –

After seeing a film at the Nova, why not head directly to Tiamos? A favourite spot for Nova-goers, Tiamos is a warm and vibrant restaurant offering very reasonably-priced, hearty Italian dishes. Debate the details of the film you’ve seen over a plate of pasta and a carafe of wine.

South Melbourne

South Melbourne Market-

Take a tram down Spencer/Claredon Street to visit another Melbourne institution – The South Melbourne Market. It is open on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday and has a wonderful array of stalls and shops. ‘The Chocolate Lover’ is our favourite. Gorgeous decadent hand-made chocolates. Shop 34, aisle G.

Abbotsford Convent & Collingwood Children’s Farm

Abbotsford Convent is an extraordinary place and is fast becoming an important arts, educational and cultural precinct in Melbourne. Just 4 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, its historic buildings, gardens and car park are spread over 6.8 hectares in a sweeping bend in the Yarra River and are surrounded by the Collingwood Children’s Farm and Yarra Bend Park. Open every day of the year between 7.30am & 10pm.

Visit “The Shirt and Skirt Markets” every 3rd Sunday of the month at the Abbotsford Convent to see some of Melbourn’e emerging fashion designers. Our favourite is Sunchana. Check out her stylish skirts with gorgeous vintage fabrics and her flattering wide leg pants.

Brunswick Street

Second-Hand Shopping –
The sheer number of second-hand stores on Brunswick Street makes it impossible to list them all here. There are plenty of bargains and interesting finds at clothing and bookstores alike.

Designer Shopping –There is no shortage of designer stores at this end of town. Clothing stores like Obus, Kinki Gerlinki, Penelope Durston and Gorman make it impossible to come home without unique treats for yourself. Another special store is Studio Ingot, which sells the jewelry of some of Melbourne’s top silver and goldsmiths.

The Astor Theatre

The Astor Theatre was built in the 1930s and still retains the old-fashioned double-bill format. The original art-deco furnishings create a unique atmosphere for your movie-going experience. Playing both well-loved classics and recent releases, the Astor offers a variety of films to cater for a wide audience. We recommend coming a little earlier before the film begins so you can have a glass of wine on their sumptuous couches and snuggle up with their charming resident cat, Marzipan.
If after your film you still crave a creative experience, cross the street to Red Stitch Theatre. Red Stitch is a tiny playhouse which produces interesting local plays. An intimate and inexpensive evening.